CPTnet
January 31,2002
  HEBRON: A Growing Effort

By Greg Rollins

  When I first started working with Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) in
  Hebron in February of 2001, Palestinian and Israeli nonviolent grassroots
  organizations were working hard, but receiving little attention for their
  actions, especially from the international community.

  Over the past year this peace movement has shown signs of
growth. Different countries and organizations have set up observation
  teams in some cities throughout the West Bank. The nonviolent groups have
  become more involved and outspoken against the brutalities of the
  Occupation, and have reached out to host delegations of internationals who
  want to be involved in the situation here. They have also gone on
speaking tours
  in North America and Europe to educate people about the Occupation and
have
  put out a call for help.

  Recently, the International Solidarity Movement (ISM)
  brought over some sixty people from the United States and Europe to
confront the Israeli occupation. With the help of many local grassroots
  peace groups, individuals, and other international delegations, they spent
  two weeks traveling all over the West Bank, taking down Israeli roadblocks
  and helping Palestinians plant olive trees. Their actions were so
effective
  that the Israeli army could not ignore them and began to track their
  movements, stopping them from entering places like Gaza and Hebron.

  If groups like the ISM continue to pull people from around the
  world to help bring peace to Palestine and Israel, this peace movement
will
  gain momentum. More people will want to come and take part in the direct
  actions. More people will want to see how the Palestinian people are being
  forced to live. The world's perspective will change.
  In the past year I have seen how this current Intifada has drastically
  changed the lives of the Palestinian and Israeli people. In most cases
  these changes have come from the loss of loved ones or the destruction of
  property. But I have seen this nonviolent effort grow too. With people
from
  all over the world rallying behind them, they will have a greater chance
of
  achieving peace.